Feeding mechanism



April 13, l954 F. AUTENRIETH ET Al. 2,675,120

FEEDING MECHANISM Filed July 26, 1950 I5 Sheets-Sheet l l2 j y @I l 12 '1 1% @D ffl j April 13, 1954 F. AUTENRIETH ET A1. 2,675,120

' FEEDING MECHANISM Filed July 26, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 13, 1954 F. AUTENRIETH ET Al. 2,675,120

FEEDING MECHANISM Filed July 26, 1950 3 Sheets-Shea*l 3 TTOR/VEYS Patented Apr. 13, 1954 FEEDING MECHANISM Ferdinand` utenrieth, Irvington, and Carl F. Riedl, Hasbrouck Heights, N. J., assignors to C. F. Mueller-Company, Jersey City, N. J., a

corporation of Delaware Application July 26, 1950, Serial No. 175,922

f This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved feeding mechanism and especially a mechanism through which articles such as food products may be fed towards weighing assemblies and packaging mechanisms.

. 1t is a primary object of this invention to provide an apparatus by means ci which products will be evenly and properly fed without piling up. Accordingly, these products may be distributed in the form of units of predetermined quantity without danger of jamming the machine and consequent interruption in the operation of the weighing mechanism. Also, wastage and spolage of quantities of the products is thus avoided.

Among other objects are those of furnishing an apparatus which when once set in operation will require substantially no manual supervision; the assembly embracing relatively few parts, each individually simple and rugged in construction, such parts being capable of ready disposition with respect to each other to furnish a satisfactory mechanism which will operate over long periods of time with freedom from all difficulties.

With these and other objects in mind, refer-l ence is had to the attached sheets of drawings illustrating one practical embodiment of the invention, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the mechanism with certain of the parts broken away to disclose underlying structures, other parts having been shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation taken along the lines 2-2 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional View taken along the lines 3 3 and in the direction of the arrows as also indicated in Fig. l; and

v Fig. 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing the general control and wiring circuits which may be incorporated in the apparatus.

With primary reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral I indicates the supporting frame of the mechanism adjacent the upper end of which a deck is mounted. Above the deck a conveyor I2 may be disposed to pass around a supporting roller I3. This conveyor is driven by. for example, a motor I4 which may be supported upon deck Disposed adjacent the lower end of frame I0 is a more or less conventional and standard weighing mechanism I5. The latter may, as shown, embrace a grouping of six units, each provided with a standard cut-off structure I 5. These units are conveniently disposed above 7 Claims. (c1. 19e- 37) a conveyor (not shown) upon which cartons may move. These cartons dei-lne the ultimate packages or receptacles to receive the products.'

Such products are conveniently spaghetti, noodles, macaroni, etc., although it is apparent that other products might be handled by the present mechanism. It will likewise be understood that in lieu of theweighing mechanism as indicated, other apparatus might be employed. Additionally, a feeding conveyor different from that indicated at I2 might be employed and a driving motor therefor need not necessarily be mounted upon the frame or deck of the apparatus. Therefore, except where otherwise indicated in theappended claims, the general layout of mechanism as herein described is to be taken in an illustrative, rather than in a limiting sense.

Adjacent the discharge end of conveyor I2 a receiving member in the form of a funnel |8 may be disposed. That funnel is provided with a neck portion I9 from which a spout 20 extends downwardly.' These partsY may be supported by a plate 2| mounted on anti-friction bearings 22 and a block or collar 23 supported upon deck A motor 24 also conveniently supported upon that deck may serve to drive a cam 25 through a reduction gearing within a housing 26. A follower 2`| bears against the edge of the cam and is mounted upon an arm 28 pivotly supported upon deck I I as at 29 and connected to a crank or link 30 which is, in turn, connected to plate 2|. Therefore, when motor 24 operates plate 2| will be oscillated to correspondingly move spout 20.

This spout discharges into the upper end of an inclined tray 3| which is supported by links 32 or in any other desirable manner from the lower face of deck II. Also suspended from the lower face of that deck by means of brackets 33 or other mounting structure are control shafts 34 and 35. The latter carry downwardly extending ngers or projections 36 the length of which is such that they clear the upper surface of tray Also, each of these shafts supports a switch a mounting shaft may be supported. That shaft as especially shown in Fig. 3 rotatably carries a series of sleeves 4|. As illustrated, these sleeves are six in number and each of them conveniently carries a sprocket 42 which by means of a suitable drive is connected to a motor 43. From each of sleeves 4| feeding fingers or combs 44' extend outwardly. Conveniently these take the form of a series of wire fingers. As shown particularly in Fig. 2 six of these feeding assemblies may be mounted upon shaft 40 and due to the provision of motors 43 one or more of the sleeves may be operated as hereinafter brought out.

Below the delivery end of tray 3| are a series of chutes 44 which again may be six in number. These chutes are conveniently mounted by pivots 45 adjacent their inner ends. The chutes are supported in inclined position and have their outer ends connected to springs 46 which are also f attached to the frame IIJ. Conveniently in contact with the lower faces of chutes 44 are units 4'I. The latter serve to individually vibrate the chutes and are more or less identical with units 38 and 39 as heretofore described.

In order to support chute members 48 one adjacent the delivery end of each of chutes 44, frame I0 may carry an extension 49. Pivotly mounted upon this extension are a pair of links 5i! which have their upper ends pivotly coupled to the lower face of an individual chute 48. Vibrating units 5| are connected one to each of chutes 48 in order to subject the latter to agitation; such connecting being conveniently achieved cy mounting the units 5I on one of the pair of links 5|) of a chute assembly. Rotatably mounted control members 52 are supported above chutes 48. Flaps may be mounted by these control members and have been indicated at 53. These flaps extend closely adjacent the bases of the chutes and when shifted ...serve to also shift a switch 54 mounted by the control member.

The delivery ends of chute members 48 extend in operative relationship with respect to the units I5 of the weighing or other mechanism. The receiving end of the latter units may be defined by hoppers 55. Conveniently an operating link 56 extends from each unit I5 and is connected by a crank 5l to a shaft and gear assembly by means of which a shaft 58 may be rocked. The latter support switch units 59 and S0. In common with r the switch units 3'I and 54, switches 59 and 60 are conveniently of the mercury type.

As shown especially in Fig. 4 power supply leads 5| and 52 may be provided with branches connecting the several electrical units of the apparatus. Thus, switch 59 may control the operation of vibrator 41 associated with a delivery chute member 44. If switch 63 controlled by link is in closed position then either the opening of switch 54 or switch B9 will interrupt the operation of a given drive motor 43. Of course, if switch 63 is in open position, then, even if switches 54 and B0 are closed, no operation of that motor will occur. With both of the switches 31 connected to controls 34 and 35 closed, the spout-oscillating motor 24 as well as the conveyor driving motor I4 will be operated. With either of these switches open both motors will cease to function. Conveniently units 38 and 39 are controlled by manually operated switches 54. It is apparent that switches which are otherwise operated might be employed.

In operation it will be assumed that the parts are assembled in the manner shown in Fig. 1. It will also be assumed that goods are being delivered by conveyor I2 and that cartons or packages |'I are being fed in properly timed relationship below the delivery ends of weighing or equivalent mechanisms I5. Under these circumstances the goods will be discharged into funnel or hopper I8. As spout 20 oscillates the goods will be distributed throughout the upper zoneof tray 3|. Due to the fact that the latter is inclined and subjected to constant vibration the material will spread and pass towards the lower or delivery end of that tray. Adjacent that delivery end it Will be impelled by comb or fingers 44' into the series of delivery chutes 44. The latter being inclined, preferably pivoted and subjected to vibration the material will therefore move throughout the lengths of chutes 44 into chutes 48 which they overlap. Again in this zone the goods will pass towards the hoppers 55 of the mechanism or units I5. In this connection it will be remembered that chutes 48 are also subjected to vibration and are supported for limited movement so that uniform distribution and spread of maximum efficiency results.

When one of the units I5 receives a pre-determined amount of the goods, then that body of material should be delivered to the carton I1. Under these circumstances the cut-off I6 will automatically function. With such functioning, switch 63 as well as switches 59 and 69 will be operated. Due to the opening of switch 59 the vibrator 4l associated with a corresponding chute 44 will cease to function. Also the vibrator 5I will be rendered inoperative. As a consequence of opening of the switches 69 and 63 the aligned impelling mechanism embracing sleeve 4| and fingers 44 will cease to operate because of the interruption of drive of motor 43. Therefore a continuing feed of material towards the hopper 55 will not occur as the cut-off of the weighing mechanism functions. Also, if material within delivery chute 48 or an aligned chute and unit is caused to function incident to goods piling up in that chute and causing an oscillation of flap 53 and switch 54, an interruption of driving force will occur.

Assuming that material piles up in tray 3| this will initially be evidenced by control 34 being oscillated. With such movement of 'the parts the switch 3l connected to that control will open. This will cause an immediate cessation of operation of motors I4 and 24. Therefore, the feeding of material will be discontinued. The same is true of the opening of switch 31 connected to control 35. However, under these circumstances, vibrator units 38 and 39 will continue to function. Accordingly, the surplus material which has accumulated in tray 3| will be .fed down the surface of that tray and delivered into chutes 44 and 48 so as to relieve the congested condition within the tray 3|. As soon as that congestion is relieved, as will be evidenced by controls 36 returning to their' normal position, the circuits through motors I4 and 24 will be closed and material will continue to be delivered to hopper or funnel I8 and be distributed by the spout 20 of the latter throughout the area of the upper surface of tray 3|.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specifically aforenoted are achieved. Obviously, numerous changes in construction and rearrangements of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the inven-l tion as defined by the claims.

We claim:

1. A feeding mechanism including in combination a spout, a support therefor, a funnel mounted by said spout, a tray movably mounted by said support at a point below said funnel, means for vibrating said tray, means for movably supporting said spout for oscillation over said tray, a power mechanism, a link pivotally connected to said spout, a rockably supported member pivotally connected to said link, a cam cooperative with said member for rocking the latter and means for connecting said cam with said power mechanism.

2. A feeding mechanism including in combination a spout, a support therefor, a funnel mounted by said spout, a tray movably mounted by said support at a point below said funnel, means for vibrating said tray, means for moving said spout over the surface of the tray, the body of the latter being disposed in an inclined plane, a plurality of chutes disposed adjacent the lower end of and below the tray to receive material therefrom, impelling means individual to each of said chutes for effecting transfer of material from said tray to said chutes and means for operating said impelling means.

3. A feeding mechanism including in combination a spout, a support therefor, a funnel mounted by said spout, a tray movably mounted by said support at a point below said funnel, means for Vibrating said tray, means for moving said spout over the surface of the tray, the body of the latter being disposed in an inclined plane, a plurality of chutes disposed adjacent the lower end of and below the tray to receive material therefrom, impelling means individual to each of said chutes for effecting transfer of material from said tray to said chutes, means for operating said impelling means and means responsive to a flow of material through said chutes for controlling the functioning of said operating means.

4. A feeding mechanism including in combination a supporting structure, a funnel carried by said structure and to receive material to be fed, a spout receiving material from said funnel and mounted for movement, power means for oscillating said spout, a tray to receive material distributed by said spout, means responsive to a flow of material through said tray to control the operation of said power means and a chute receiving material from said tray.

5. A feeding mechanism including in combination a supporting structure, a funnel carried by said structure and to receive material to be fed, a spout receiving material from said funnel and mounted for movement, power means for oscillating said spout, a tray to receive material distributed by said spout, means responsive to a flow of material through said tray to control the operation of said power means, means for vibrating said tray, a plurality of chutes disposed below said tray to receive material therefrom and means for vibrating said chutes.

6. A feeding mechanism including in combination a support, a hopper extending above said support, an oscillatable spout mounted below said support to receive and distribute material delivered to said hopper, an inclined tray movably mounted by said support, said spout having an arc of movement between the side edges of said tray and extending in a direction opposed to the direction of movement of material over the surface of the tray after such material has been delivered thereto by said spout, a plurality of inclined trays mounted adjacent each other below said rst named tray to each receive material therefrom and means for vibrating all of said trays.

7. A feeding mechanism including in combination a support, a hopper extending above said support, an oscillatable spout mounted below said support to receive and distribute material delivered to said hopper, an inclined tray movably mounted by said support, said spout having an arc of movement between the side edges of said tray, a plurality of inclined trays mounted below and receiving material from said first named tray and a plurality of impelling means corresponding in number to the number of last mentioned trays and disposed adjacent the lower edge of said first named tray for transferring material from the latter to each of said plurality of trays.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 698,379 Elizondo Apr. 22, 1902 1,033,076 Allen July 23, 1912 1,580,176 Stone Apr. 13, 1926 1,596,026 Schei Aug. 17, 1926 2,101,561 Rapp Dec. 7, 1937 2,162,443 Muller June 13, 1939 2,239,858 Randolph Apr. 29, 1941 2,266,906 Rapp Dec. 23, 1941 2,270,083 Rapp Jan. 13, 1942 2,276,383 Francis Mar. 17, 1942 2,303,140 Sockett Nov. 24, 1942 2,337,667 Kuehlman Dec. 28, 1943 2,496,548 La Rosa Feb. 7, 1950 

